“The secret of change is to focus all your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” —Dan Millman
The past year has demonstrated that we are not waiting for the new reality — we are already in it.
We understand our fragility within a global pandemic.
Our confidence in the political world has been shaken to the core.
The need to learn about and embrace diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is not an option but an urgent imperative.
In the decades since I started working in education, I have been on a journey of learning about DEI. Every day, I’m confronted with, and grateful for, new insights. The staff of RTOERO and I are taking DEI courses, and we focus on DEI concepts in every monthly staff meeting.
We’re changing. We’re learning.
RTOERO is working to create “a safe space for open and ever-changing perspectives, where a wide range of visible and invisible human qualities are acknowledged, respected and given an opportunity to thrive.” I’ve borrowed this quote from the Regional Diversity Roundtable, a DEI non-profit organization with which we collaborate.
Among our collective commitments, our Strategic Plan 2025 states that staff and volunteers will actively seek opportunities to learn and grow in our understanding of DEI. We have made this resolution to ensure:
- A diversity of perspectives and voices are heard
- All members and stakeholders feel a sense of belonging, respect and safety within RTOERO
- Our grants and scholarship programs are accessible to a range of individuals and communities
- The development of a healthy and engaged membership
To realize this collective commitment in 2021, we will be offering a series of webinars and other learning opportunities, including a DEI self-evaluation tool that RTOERO staff and members can use to assess their personal learning.
Regardless of our roles, what unites us has always been our belief in securing a more inclusive future for one another and our communities.
Let’s continue “building the new” together,
Jim
